In 1996, amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act created the Drinking Water Revolving Fund.  The Federal Government allows for set-asides from the Revolving Fund to support the Wellhead Protection Grant Program to provide financial assistance for local wellhead protection programs.  The Wellhead Protection Unit of the Department of Environmental Quality administers the grant program.

Any element of wellhead protection may be eligible for funding through this program.   A comprehensive listing of activities eligible for funding is included in the Part 28 Wellhead Protection Grant Assistance Administrative Rules, R 325.12801 to R 352.12820.  Following is a sampling of activities for which your water supply could receive funding:

• Wellhead delineation studies
• Abandoned well search and management programs
• Development of educational materials
• Passage of zoning language to protect groundwater
• Emergency management training for spills in wellhead protection areas
• Creation of partnership agreements between agencies and communities within the wellhead protection area

This program is based on matching funds, that is, for every dollar applied for, the local water supply must provide a matching dollar.  Grant assistance is based on the number of people served by the water supply, and the number of wells the supply operates.   Applicants are ranked according to a points system, as outlined in the Grant Application.